ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing ArtsISSN (Online): 2582-7472
ADAPTIVE REUSE OF HERITAGE ARCHITECTURE AS A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TOOL: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES Arushi Malhotra 1 1 Assistant
Professor and Program Coordinator, School of Design and Architecture, MAHE,
Dubai, UAE 2 Assistant
Professor, School of Design and Architecture, MAHE, Dubai, UAE
1. INTRODUCTION Heritage in architecture refers to buildings and structures that have a significant cultural and historical value and act as learning places to understand our past and how we came to be. Conservation in heritage design is the process of maintaining the material, historical and durability of a heritage asset, heritage interior and ensuring the prolongment of the state of the heritage asset against natural conditions. Adaptation in heritage design is the ability and process of converting a heritage asset into a place that blends well with the landscape and generates growth for the economy while still maintaining its identity. Matero (2013) The heritage of a city is not just old buildings and patina, it is also a reflection of the struggle and the advancement of the world. These structures represent a past era characterized by rapid and unparalleled technological and socio-economic development. There has been a growing demand for the preservation and the adaptive reuse opportunities available for heritage monuments and interiors. Countries and international organizations such as UNESCO strive to restore our cultural and historical monuments and readapt them into the high rise, glass façade skylines that seem to dominate the world landscape. This is done to create an effective methodology to link heritage and socioeconomical gains by bringing a unique perspective to the forefront. 2. ADAPTIVE REUSE IN HERITAGE ARCHITECTURE Conserving and Adapting Heritage architecture are generally placed into a large framework that not only considers the architectural aspects of the process but also the philosophical side that links our cultural values and identities. According to the modern philosophy of restoration developed in the 19th century by John Ruskin, there is a debate between the terminology of restoration and repair. To be more precise, "restoration" refers to the greatest amount of destruction a structure can endure, including destruction from which nothing can be recovered and destruction that is accompanied by a misleading description of the object that was destroyed Burman (1995). This stems from the idea that during the process of restoration, the original work is replaced by an exact replica and even though both pieces might look the same, the historic significance reduces as it is no longer the original creator’s work but a copy. So, part of this debate is undoubtedly about 'value', existing value, past value, and future value in terms of historical and cultural identity. Viejo-Rose (2011). By the repair and conservation process and ensuring proper maintenance of the heritage site, we eliminate the need for restoration thereby keeping the value and identity intact. The importance of adaptive reuse of Architecture heritage can be better understood by its impact on the various factors including cultural values, economy of the country and urban fabric of the surroundings. It can contribute to revitalization of urban fabric and strengthen the community's attachment to the property. Table 1
There is sometimes a misperception that conservation is about defending the past and focusing on the past, which is far from reality. Some of the most inventive and imaginative regeneration and economic growth schemes may be built around conserving the past. When we talk about adapting and restoring a particular heritage site into the 21st century landscape, emphasis is placed on the fact that the heritage site should not lose its identity at the same time it should not be an eye sore or an out of place focal point among the glass and metal façade of the modern high rise building architecture and design. 3. INTERNATIONAL AND GOVERNMENT BODIES PARTICIPATION There is a need to establish a link between the community and local/federal governments to advance conservation projects and encourage appropriate policies and strategies for conservation. Various heritage led schemes have been implemented by the government to encourage owners of heritage sites to conserve and adapt their properties for overall benefits of everyone since the cost of conservation and adaptation is too high due to specialized material and labor. It is well-known that the quality of the built environment is directly related to an area's ability to attract investment and achieve economic development. There are various rules and regulations on set up by International and government bodies on the process of conserving and adapting heritage interiors and sites due to their influences of various aspects of an economy and society. A preparatory list of buildings of outstanding architectural or historic interest is known as a listing of buildings. It is not possible to demolish, extend, or change a listed structure without specific approval from the planning authority. The listed buildings are graded based on their architectural and historic significance. The heritage buildings are divided into three categories: Grade I, Grade II, and Grade III. The parameters for grading buildings are used, and the heritage buildings are graded according to the criteria outlined in the table below. Shankar & Swamy (2015) Table 2
4. INTERNATIONAL AND GOVERNMENT BODIES PARTICIPATION Table 3
5. DISCUSSION The results that have been observed through this paper show that the conservation and adaptation of heritage interiors play a major impact on overall development of the country, as they encourage more tourism and hence more spending in the region which raises the economy of the region. The research conducted via case studies and various secondary research methods shows us that through the whole process of conservation and adaptation, jobs are created thus improving the livelihood of the people living in the community of the region and the cultural and historical significance of the heritage sight is maintained and restored for future generations to come and society can maintain its identity. The major findings from the case study are as follows: 1) Cultural
values: ·
Preservation of Cultural Heritage: By restoring the building to its former glory and adapting
it for contemporary use, these projects help to ensure that the building's
history and cultural significance are not lost. ·
Respect for Traditional Building Techniques: When the restoration process respects
and utilizes traditional building techniques and materials it helps to preserve
the historic fabric of the building. ·
Promoting Cultural Exchange: Restoration projects aim to preserve and restore cultural
heritage sites and artifacts, which can help promote cultural exchange by
allowing people from different cultures to learn about and appreciate each
other's history and traditions. ·
Community Engagement: Restoration projects often involve the participation of local
communities, who contribute to the restoration process by sharing their
knowledge and traditions. This involvement promotes cultural exchange and
understanding between the local community and visitors from other cultures. 2) Economy: ·
Tourism: Restored heritage sites and cultural landmarks can attract tourists, who
may be interested in learning about the history and culture of the area. This
can create employment opportunities in the tourism industry, including tour
guides, hotel staff, and transportation services. ·
Job creation: Restoration projects often require the skills of architects, engineers,
and craftsmen, among other professionals. This can create job opportunities in
the construction industry and other related fields. ·
Increased Property Value: Restoring and preserving historic buildings can prevent them
from falling into disrepair or being demolished, which can contribute to the
revitalization of urban areas. This can lead to increased property values and
stimulate economic activity in the surrounding area. ·
Cultural events: Restored heritage sites and cultural landmarks can be used to host
cultural events and festivals, which can attract visitors and generate revenue
for local businesses. 3) Surroundings
and urban fabric: Adaptive Reuse
and restoration projects can have both positive as well as negative impacts on
the surrounding environment and urban fabric. It is important to carefully
consider the potential consequences of these projects and work to mitigate any
negative effects while maximizing the positive benefits. Some of the
positive impacts include: ·
Revitalization of the area: Restoration projects can help to revitalize neglected or
underutilized areas, bringing new life to the surrounding community. ·
Preservation of historic buildings and landmarks: Restoring and preserving historic
buildings and landmarks can help to maintain the character and charm of an
area, while also preserving its cultural and architectural heritage. ·
Improved quality of life: Restoration projects can create more liveable and enjoyable
public spaces, enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors. ·
Economic benefits: Restoration projects can generate economic benefits, such as increased
tourism and job creation. Whereas some of the
negative impacts may include: Disruption and
inconvenience: Restoration
projects can cause disruption and inconvenience to residents and businesses,
such as road closures and noise pollution. Gentrification: Restoration projects can lead to
gentrification, which can displace long-time residents and change the character
of the area. Environmental
impact: Restoration
projects may have an environmental impact, such as increased traffic
congestion, pollution, and carbon emissions. Table 4
The case study matrix clearly indicates the potential of developing adaptive reuse of heritage building as a sustainable development tool. The primary purpose of the study was to examine the influence of conserving and adapting heritage sites on the economy, society and community of the region associated with the heritage site. The limitations of the paper in terms of the research conducted is mainly the geographical location. The paper focuses on the case studies of heritage sites located in India, a country in the southern eastern part of Asia, hence the results might vary with change in the geographical location. 6. CONCLUSION Due to globalization and by the global capital becoming fluid and/or urban space being re-constructed, the need to conserve or adapt our heritage sites and interiors have become necessary to maintain identity among the growing glass and metal facades of the high-rise buildings in the architectural landscape of a region. Since human expansion and a rise in population, there has become less and less space to grow hence by readapting and reusing heritage structures, we can not only maintain the cultural and historical significance but can also add on several functions to the site. By conservation and restoring heritage sites, there is growth in terms of livelihood for the people of the region and the growth of the economy while ensuring that our history is not lost. Heritage and culture are the things that help us differentiate ourselves from others and encourage inclusivity which is one of the binding philosophies of our species. Thus, it has become important to ensure that our past stories of how we came to be and how we evolved throughout the centuries get passed on to future generations to come through our heritage sites. This research paper thus focused on adding more insight to how and exactly what are the influences that the heritage site when it is conserved or adapted has on the country in terms of economy, society, community, cultural identity, and historical significance. The paper positions adaptive reuse of heritage architecture not merely as a nostalgic nod to the past but as a vital tool in shaping sustainable resilient and culturally vibrant futures the findings of this research form a strong basis and have broad implications for policymakers, architects, planners, and community stakeholders in rethinking sustainable development strategies which can involve architectural reuse as a strong strategic development tool. The case study matrix clearly indicates the potential of developing adaptive reuse of heritage buildings as a sustainable development tool.
CONFLICT OF INTERESTS None. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS None. REFERENCES Burman, P. (1995). A Question of Ethics: Historical Authenticity and the Design of Alterations and Repairs to Historic Buildings Fuelled Intense Debate in the Mid 19th Century, much as they do Today. Peter Burman Traces the Development of a Modern Conservation Philosophy. Cathedral Communications Limited 2019. Grover, R., & Kumar, N. (Aug. 2020). The Adaptive Reuse Strategies for Heritage Buildings: A Case Study of Retrofit Investments. International Journal of Engineering, Science and Mathematics, 58-65. Karthik, D. (2017). Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam Bags Unesco Award. The Times of India. Matero, F. G. (2013). The Conservation of Immovable Cultural Property: Ethical and Practical Dilemmas. Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, 15-21. https://doi.org/10.1179/019713693806066528. Narayan, S. (Dec. 2016). Haveli Dharampura and Future of India's Past. Mint Publication. Pintos, P. (n.d.). Alembic Industrial Heritage and Re-Development. Retrieved From Arch Daily. Pritam, R. (2021, July). Why we need a Heritage Tribunal. Retrieved From Pragyata. Shankar, B. C. S., & Swamy, C. (2015). Listing and Grading of Heritage Buildings in Mysore City. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE), 4(10), 29-34. Suresh, D. K. (n.d.). Archaeological Conservation and Preservation of Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. Archaeological Consultant, Indian Culture and Heritage Trust. Viejo-Rose, D. (2011). Destruction and Reconstruction of Heritage: Impacts on Memory and Identity. In Y. R. Helmut Anheier, Heritage, Memory & Identity. Sage Knowledge.
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